Edmonton Oilers goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin lends a hand to help Nail Yakupov get settled in Edmonton

2013 Edmonton Oilers Training Camp

Ryan Nugent Hopkins on the ice during the first day of training camp. The Edmonton Oilers had their first day of training camp on ice at Rexall Place in Edmonton Alta., on Monday Jan. 14, 2013. The practice was open to the public who were restricted to the upper levels. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Nicholai Khabibulin (l), Teemu Hartikainen (c), and Justin Schultz picks up the pucks after practice. The Edmonton Oilers had their first day of training camp on ice at Rexall Place in Edmonton Alta., on Monday Jan. 14, 2013. The practice was open to the public who were restricted to the upper levels. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

2 year old Jackson Trollope hides as Dad Rob and mom Ashley tries to convince him to watch the practice. The Edmonton Oilers had their first day of training camp on ice at Rexall Place in Edmonton Alta., on Monday Jan. 14, 2013. The practice was open to the public who were restricted to the upper levels. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Ryan Smyth on the ice during the first day of training camp. The Edmonton Oilers had their first day of training camp on ice at Rexall Place in Edmonton Alta., on Monday Jan. 14, 2013. The practice was open to the public who were restricted to the upper levels. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Ryan Nugent Hopkins on the ice during the first day of training camp. The Edmonton Oilers had their first day of training camp on ice at Rexall Place in Edmonton Alta., on Monday Jan. 14, 2013. The practice was open to the public who were restricted to the upper levels. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Shawn Horcoff on the ice during the first day of training camp. The Edmonton Oilers had their first day of training camp on ice at Rexall Place in Edmonton Alta., on Monday Jan. 14, 2013. The practice was open to the public who were restricted to the upper levels. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Coach Kelly Buchberger speaks with players on the bench during their training camp at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta on Monday January 14, 2013 PERRY NELSON - EDMONTON SUN / QMI AGENCY

Teemu Hartikainen on the ice during the first day of training camp. The Edmonton Oilers had their first day of training camp on ice at Rexall Place in Edmonton Alta., on Monday Jan. 14, 2013. The practice was open to the public who were restricted to the upper levels. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Ryan Nugent Hopkins on the ice during the first day of training camp. The Edmonton Oilers had their first day of training camp on ice at Rexall Place in Edmonton Alta., on Monday Jan. 14, 2013. The practice was open to the public who were restricted to the upper levels. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Coach Steve Smith speaks with players on the bench during their training camp at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta on Monday January 14, 2013 PERRY NELSON - EDMONTON SUN / QMI AGENCY

Nail Yaikupov changes the tape on his stick. The Edmonton Oilers had their first day of training camp on ice at Rexall Place in Edmonton Alta., on Monday Jan. 14, 2013. The practice was open to the public who were restricted to the upper levels. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Ales Hemsky on the ice during the first day of training camp. The Edmonton Oilers had their first day of training camp on ice at Rexall Place in Edmonton Alta., on Monday Jan. 14, 2013. The practice was open to the public who were restricted to the upper levels. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Ryan Nugent Hopkins and Taylor Hall (r) on the ice during the first day of training camp. The Edmonton Oilers had their first day of training camp on ice at Rexall Place in Edmonton Alta., on Monday Jan. 14, 2013. The practice was open to the public who were restricted to the upper levels. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Ryan Smyth on the ice during the first day of training camp. The Edmonton Oilers had their first day of training camp on ice at Rexall Place in Edmonton Alta., on Monday Jan. 14, 2013. The practice was open to the public who were restricted to the upper levels. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Nail Yakupov on the ice during the first day of training camp. The Edmonton Oilers had their first day of training camp on ice at Rexall Place in Edmonton Alta., on Monday Jan. 14, 2013. The practice was open to the public who were restricted to the upper levels. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Taylor Hall takes a drink during practice. The Edmonton Oilers had their first day of training camp on ice at Rexall Place in Edmonton Alta., on Monday Jan. 14, 2013. The practice was open to the public who were restricted to the upper levels. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Oiler fan Terry Rhime cheers on the players during practice. The Edmonton Oilers had their first day of training camp on ice at Rexall Place in Edmonton Alta., on Monday Jan. 14, 2013. The practice was open to the public who were restricted to the upper levels. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Teemu Hartikainen on the ice during the first day of training camp. The Edmonton Oilers had their first day of training camp on ice at Rexall Place in Edmonton Alta., on Monday Jan. 14, 2013. The practice was open to the public who were restricted to the upper levels. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Head Coach Ralph Kruger directs the first day of training camp. The Edmonton Oilers had their first day of training camp on ice at Rexall Place in Edmonton Alta., on Monday Jan. 14, 2013. The practice was open to the public who were restricted to the upper levels. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Justin Schultz (orange) on the ice during the first day of training camp. The Edmonton Oilers had their first day of training camp on ice at Rexall Place in Edmonton Alta., on Monday Jan. 14, 2013. The practice was open to the public who were restricted to the upper levels. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Nicholai Khabibulin on the ice during the first day of training camp. The Edmonton Oilers had their first day of training camp on ice at Rexall Place in Edmonton Alta., on Monday Jan. 14, 2013. The practice was open to the public who were restricted to the upper levels. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Oiler fans Haley Stuart (l) and Ethan Stuart miss school to watch the Oilers practice. The Edmonton Oilers had their first day of training camp on ice at Rexall Place in Edmonton Alta., on Monday Jan. 14, 2013. The practice was open to the public who were restricted to the upper levels. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Nikolai Khabibulin during warmups outside the Oilers locker room. The Edmonton Oilers had their first day of training camp on ice at Rexall Place in Edmonton Alta., on Monday Jan. 14, 2013. The practice was open to the public who were restricted to the upper levels. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Shawn Horcoff during warmups outside the Oilers locker room. The Edmonton Oilers had their first day of training camp on ice at Rexall Place in Edmonton Alta., on Monday Jan. 14, 2013. The practice was open to the public who were restricted to the upper levels. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Ladislav Smid celebrates a goal with Sam Gagner (r) The Edmonton Oilers had their first day of training camp on ice at Rexall Place in Edmonton Alta., on Monday Jan. 14, 2013. The practice was open to the public who were restricted to the upper levels. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Chris VandeVelde goes through some drills during practice. The Edmonton Oilers had their first day of training camp on ice at Rexall Place in Edmonton Alta., on Monday Jan. 14, 2013. The practice was open to the public who were restricted to the upper levels. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Corey Potter fights off Jordan Eberle for the puck. The Edmonton Oilers had their first day of training camp on ice at Rexall Place in Edmonton Alta., on Monday Jan. 14, 2013. The practice was open to the public who were restricted to the upper levels. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Ryan Whitney watches team mate Ales Hemsky fall during practice. The Edmonton Oilers had their first day of training camp on ice at Rexall Place in Edmonton Alta., on Monday Jan. 14, 2013. The practice was open to the public who were restricted to the upper levels. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Nail Yakupov on the ice during the first day of training camp. The Edmonton Oilers had their first day of training camp on ice at Rexall Place in Edmonton Alta., on Monday Jan. 14, 2013. The practice was open to the public who were restricted to the upper levels. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Nail Yakupov goes through some drills during practice. The Edmonton Oilers had their first day of training camp on ice at Rexall Place in Edmonton Alta., on Monday Jan. 14, 2013. The practice was open to the public who were restricted to the upper levels. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Ales Hemsky (l) fights for the puck with Magnus Paajarvi . The Edmonton Oilers had their first day of training camp on ice at Rexall Place in Edmonton Alta., on Monday Jan. 14, 2013. The practice was open to the public who were restricted to the upper levels. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Nail Yakupov checks Chris VandeVelde (r) during practice. The Edmonton Oilers had their first day of training camp on ice at Rexall Place in Edmonton Alta., on Monday Jan. 14, 2013. The practice was open to the public who were restricted to the upper levels. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Taylor Hall goes through some drills during practice. The Edmonton Oilers had their first day of training camp on ice at Rexall Place in Edmonton Alta., on Monday Jan. 14, 2013. The practice was open to the public who were restricted to the upper levels. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Ryan Nugent Hopkins slides into goaltender Devan Dubnyk during practice. The Edmonton Oilers had their first day of training camp on ice at Rexall Place in Edmonton Alta., on Monday Jan. 14, 2013. The practice was open to the public who were restricted to the upper levels. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Teemu Hartikainen on the ice during the first day of training camp. The Edmonton Oilers had their first day of training camp on ice at Rexall Place in Edmonton Alta., on Monday Jan. 14, 2013. The practice was open to the public who were restricted to the upper levels. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Ryan Nugent Hopkins goes through some drills during practice. The Edmonton Oilers had their first day of training camp on ice at Rexall Place in Edmonton Alta., on Monday Jan. 14, 2013. The practice was open to the public who were restricted to the upper levels. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Magnus Paajarvi goes through some drills during practice. The Edmonton Oilers had their first day of training camp on ice at Rexall Place in Edmonton Alta., on Monday Jan. 14, 2013. The practice was open to the public who were restricted to the upper levels. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Oilers Coach Ralph Kruger talks to players before a drill during their training camp at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta on Tuesday January 15, 2013 PERRY NELSON - EDMONTON SUN / QMI AGENCY

Ryan Symth stands in front of goaltender Nicholai Khabibulin during a inter squad scrimmage. The Edmonton Oilers' 3rd day of training camp at Rexall Place in Edmonton, AB., on January 16, 2013. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/Qmi Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

The Oilers during a inter squad scrimmage. The Edmonton Oilers' 3rd day of training camp at Rexall Place in Edmonton, AB., on January 16, 2013. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/Qmi Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Corey Potter dumps Taylor Hall to the ice during a inter squad scrimmage. The Edmonton Oilers' 3rd day of training camp at Rexall Place in Edmonton, AB., on January 16, 2013. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/Qmi Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Darcy Hordichuk checks Nick Schultz into the boards during a inter squad scrimmage. The Edmonton Oilers' 3rd day of training camp at Rexall Place in Edmonton, AB., on January 16, 2013. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/Qmi Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Head Coach Ralph Kruger (l) and Goaltending Consultant Frederic Chabot watch the play during a inter squad scrimmage. The Edmonton Oilers' 3rd day of training camp at Rexall Place in Edmonton, AB., on January 16, 2013. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/Qmi Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Head Coach Ralph Kruger (l) and Goaltending Consultant Frederic Chabot watch the play during a inter squad scrimmage. The Edmonton Oilers' 3rd day of training camp at Rexall Place in Edmonton, AB., on January 16, 2013. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/Qmi Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Edmonton Oilers General Manager Steve Tambellini (l) and Oil Kings General Manager Bob Green watch the play during a Oiler inter squad scrimmage. The Edmonton Oilers' 3rd day of training camp at Rexall Place in Edmonton, AB., on January 16, 2013. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/Qmi Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Nail Yakuupov on the ice during a inter squad scrimmage. The Edmonton Oilers' 3rd day of training camp at Rexall Place in Edmonton, AB., on January 16, 2013. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/Qmi Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Fans watch the Edmonton Oilers' 3rd day of training camp at Rexall Place in Edmonton, AB., on January 16, 2013. The camp will be closed to the public until the season starts. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/Qmi Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Nail Yakuupov salutes the fans after a inter squad scrimmage. The Edmonton Oilers' 3rd day of training camp at Rexall Place in Edmonton, AB., on January 16, 2013. The camp is closed to the public after today's skate. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/Qmi Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Players salutes the fans after a inter squad scrimmage. The Edmonton Oilers' 3rd day of training camp at Rexall Place in Edmonton, AB., on January 16, 2013. The camp is closed to the public after today's skate. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/Qmi Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Ryan Nugent Hopkins takes a shot on Devan Dubnyk during a shootout exhibition. The Edmonton Oilers' 3rd day of training camp at Rexall Place in Edmonton, AB., on January 16, 2013. The camp is closed to the public after today's skate. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/Qmi AgencyThe Edmonton Oilers' 3rd day of training camp at Rexall Place in Edmonton, AB., on January 16, 2013. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/Qmi Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Corey Potter takes a shot on Nicholai Khabibulin during a shootout exhibition. The Edmonton Oilers' 3rd day of training camp at Rexall Place in Edmonton, AB., on January 16, 2013. The camp is closed to the public after today's skate. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/Qmi AgencyThe Edmonton Oilers' 3rd day of training camp at Rexall Place in Edmonton, AB., on January 16, 2013. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/Qmi Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Jordan Eberle takes a shot on Devan Dubnyk during a shootout exhibition. The Edmonton Oilers' 3rd day of training camp at Rexall Place in Edmonton, AB., on January 16, 2013. The camp is closed to the public after today's skate. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/Qmi AgencyThe Edmonton Oilers' 3rd day of training camp at Rexall Place in Edmonton, AB., on January 16, 2013. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/Qmi Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Devan Dubnyk makes a save during a shootout exhibition. The Edmonton Oilers' 3rd day of training camp at Rexall Place in Edmonton, AB., on January 16, 2013. The camp is closed to the public after today's skate. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/Qmi Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Devan Dubnyk makes a save during a shootout exhibition. The Edmonton Oilers' 3rd day of training camp at Rexall Place in Edmonton, AB., on January 16, 2013. The camp is closed to the public after today's skate. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/Qmi AgencyThe Edmonton Oilers' 3rd day of training camp at Rexall Place in Edmonton, AB., on January 16, 2013. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/Qmi Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

ales Hemsky takes a shot on Nicholai Khabibulin during a shootout exhibition. The Edmonton Oilers' 3rd day of training camp at Rexall Place in Edmonton, AB., on January 16, 2013. The camp is closed to the public after today's skate. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/Qmi Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Shawn Horcoff takes a shot on Devan Dubnyk during a shootout exhibition. The Edmonton Oilers' 3rd day of training camp at Rexall Place in Edmonton, AB., on January 16, 2013. The camp is closed to the public after today's skate. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/Qmi Agency

Ryan Smyth chased Ladislav Smid around the net during a inter squad scrimmage. The Edmonton Oilers' 3rd day of training camp at Rexall Place in Edmonton, AB., on January 16, 2013. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/Qmi Agency

Nail Yakupov on the ice during a inter squad scrimmage. The Edmonton Oilers' 3rd day of training camp at Rexall Place in Edmonton, AB., on January 16, 2013. The camp is closed to the public after today's skate. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/Qmi Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Shawn Horcoff takes up position in front of gaoltender Devan Dubnyk during a inter squad scrimmage. The Edmonton Oilers' 3rd day of training camp at Rexall Place in Edmonton, AB., on January 16, 2013. The camp is closed to the public after today's skate. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/Qmi Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Darcy Hordichuk watches the scrimmage from the bench. The Edmonton Oilers' 3rd day of training camp at Rexall Place in Edmonton, AB., on January 16, 2013. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/Qmi Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Jordan Eberle (l) fights for position with Theo Peckham during a inter squad scrimmage. The Edmonton Oilers' 3rd day of training camp at Rexall Place in Edmonton, AB., on January 16, 2013. The camp is closed to the public after today's skate. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/Qmi Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Ryan Whitney pushes Ryan Nugent Hopkins (l) during a inter squad scrimmage. The Edmonton Oilers' 3rd day of training camp at Rexall Place in Edmonton, AB., on January 16, 2013. The camp is closed to the public after today's skate. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/Qmi Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Assistant Coach Steve Smith chats with Head Coach Ralph Kruger (r) during a inter squad scrimmage. The Edmonton Oilers' 3rd day of training camp at Rexall Place in Edmonton, AB., on January 16, 2013. The camp is closed to the public after today's skate. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/Qmi Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Oiler fans Daniel (l) and Joshua Almeida watch a Oiler inter squad scrimmage. The Edmonton Oilers' 3rd day of training camp at Rexall Place in Edmonton, AB., on January 16, 2013. The camp is closed to the public after today's skate. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/Qmi Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Stevenn Ceron and his 3 year old daughter Kayden watch a inter squad scrimmage. The Edmonton Oilers' 3rd day of training camp at Rexall Place in Edmonton, AB., on January 16, 2013. The camp is closed to the public after today's skate. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/Qmi Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

The Edmonton Oilers gets some last minute instructions before finishing the' 3rd day of training camp at Rexall Place in Edmonton, AB., on January 16, 2013. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/Qmi Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Head Coach Ralph Krueger gives some instructions to Ryan Smyth during drills. Edmonton Oilers goes through training camp at Rexall Place in Edmonton, AB., on January 17, 2013. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/Qmi Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Students walks past Oilers as the go through drills. Edmonton Oilers goes through training camp at Rexall Place in Edmonton, AB., on January 17, 2013. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/Qmi Agency

Mark Fistric runs through some drills outside the locker room. Edmonton Oilers goes through some dry land training at Rexall Place in Edmonton, AB., on January 17, 2013. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/Qmi Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Ryan Smyth runs through some drills outside the locker room. Edmonton Oilers goes through some dry land training at Rexall Place in Edmonton, AB., on January 17, 2013. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/Qmi Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Ryan Nugent Hopkins (r), Jeff Petry (c), and Nail Yakupov runs through some drills outside the locker room. Edmonton Oilers goes through some dry land training at Rexall Place in Edmonton, AB., on January 17, 2013. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/Qmi Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Nick Schultz watches as Taylor Hall (l) runs through some drills outside the locker room. Edmonton Oilers goes through some dry land training at Rexall Place in Edmonton, AB., on January 17, 2013. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/Qmi Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

A few of the Oilers take to the ice. The Edmonton Oilers held a off ice practice at Rexall Place in Edmonton, AB., on January 17, 2013. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/Qmi Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

Edmonton Oiller captain Shawn Horcoff practice his stick work, one of the few Oilers who went on the ice today. The Edmonton Oilers held a off ice practice at Rexall Place in Edmonton, AB., on January 17, 2013. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/Qmi Agency

Topics

Judging by his performances in practice this week, Nail Yakupov appears ready to make a smooth transition to the NHL.

That might be the easy part.Adjusting to life off the ice may be a bit more of challenge, particularly for a young Russian talent who garners plenty of attention.

“It’s not that easy when you come and you haven’t played a game in the NHL, and there are all those cameras on you right away,” said Oilers goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin.

“It puts extra pressure on him and at 19, sometimes it’s hard to put everything in perspective and hard to deal with it, especially him being from a different country. That’s where I think veterans, myself included, probably even more so myself, can help him out and kind of guide him a little through it.”

Apart from what he does in net this season, Khabibulin’s contribution when it comes to helping Yakupov along could prove valuable to the Oilers.

“It’s good to be able to communicate with him and it makes it a little easier to have another Russian guy here,” Yakupov said. “He said that if I ever needed him to just let him know and that will help a lot. He’s older than I am and he has life experience and it’s good to have him here.”

Like Yakupov, Khabibulin came to Canada at a young age to play a familiar game in a vastly unfamiliar place. Khabibulin, 40, broke into the league as a 23-year-old with the Winnipeg Jets, when Yakupov was still in diapers.

“It was quite a bit different between me and him,” Khabibulin said. “When I came, I was a ninth-round pick and I wasn’t that big a deal. I was basically nobody. He’s the first overall pick and with that comes extra expectations.

“I also had a wife and little daughter, so when you come home, you see somebody. That’s a big plus. But if you’re by yourself, it can be overwhelming sometimes.”

Khabibulin is willing to help Yakupov live up to those lofty expectations in any way possible. That can be as simple as having someone to talk Russian to, in a city without a particularly large Russian population.

“I can be a mentor to him, obviously, if there is no resistance on his side, and I don’t anticipate any because he seems like a really good kid,” Khabibulin said. “I’ve been in the league for a while and can share a lot of things with him and help him out that way.

“If he really misses home, then it’s going to be a little bit harder for him, because there really isn’t a big Russian community here. But the good thing is that his family is going to be here with him, which will be a big help for him.”

To his credit, Yakupov is trying to assimilate as quickly as possible. Having spent two seasons in Ontario with the Sarnia Sting helped the process.

“He’s living in a completely different world that he grew up in,” said Oilers head coach Ralph Krueger. “We have to understand that and for him to understand the values and the way our system works, he needs time.

“Sarnia was definitely a road in, but that’s a long way from the National Hockey League and the NHL is a completely different culture. Expectations from the fans, the people, the coaches, the leaders are totally different. There is a lot of learning and growing for him to do.”

At 19, Yakupov has plenty of time to grow. The issue is that he’ll be doing it in the public eye, which can complicate the situation.

“So far it’s been good,” Krueger said. “We were checking whether he was OK at the hotel where other players were staying or whether he wanted to go with Khabby or be somewhere else. But he wanted to stay in that environment where he’s forced to speak English and he’s interacting with his teammates. It’s been very encouraging how much he understands.”

It’s not just the language that Yakupov seems to understand. He knows being successful in the NHL requires an ability to fend for himself away from the rink.

“That’s life. You have to learn how to do those things for yourself,” Yakupov said. “You have to learn how to be on your own, cook for yourself, do everything for yourself. If you are strong and are able to do those things in life, it’s going to help you playing hockey. Different things happen in your life and you have to be ready for everything.”

Edmonton Oilers goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin lends a hand to help Nail Yakupov get settled in Edmonton

Judging by his performances in practice this week, Nail Yakupov appears ready to make a smooth transition to the NHL.

That might be the easy part.Adjusting to life off the ice may be a bit more of challenge, particularly for a young Russian talent who garners plenty of attention.

“It’s not that easy when you come and you haven’t played a game in the NHL, and there are all those cameras on you right away,” said Oilers goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin.

“It puts extra pressure on him and at 19, sometimes it’s hard to put everything in perspective and hard to deal with it, especially him being from a different country. That’s where I think veterans, myself included, probably even more so myself, can help him out and kind of guide him a little through it.”

Apart from what he does in net this season, Khabibulin’s contribution when it comes to helping Yakupov along could prove valuable to the Oilers.